I wish I would have thought to look here when I had my abnormal pap. I had a Pap smear 9 months after radiation/chemo ended. It came back abnormal. They then did a few more tests (cant remember names) which had to be repeated 2 more times ( first time specimens lost, next time not a viable specimen)...

I never had any problems with radiation -28 sessions. Nevr any burns or soreness. My only problems were with the chemo. Had to take a 1 week break and reduced strength when I started up again. 3 weeks after radiation/chemo was done, the tumor was gone! They called it an ulcer. Good luck with the res...

Hi Joan, Sorry I can't help with your specific questions, but I also live in Pittsburgh and received all of my chemo and radiation care through UPMC. The UPMC cancer center has a great reputation and many offices throughout the city. I had my chemo at the south hills center and my radiation at the S...

Good luck on Tuesday. I agree with brownbagger about the Calmaseptine. I get it at Walgreens next to the adult diapers.

Nothing but the occasional ibuprofen.

I too, had a tumor (in my rectum) which totally disappeared with chemo/rad. I really wasn't given a choice to have the resection. The surgeon removed 18 inches of my colon as well as the part of the rectum where the tumor was. The radiation really messes up the colon and he said I had to have it rem...

I was on 5fu 24/7 for 6 weeks and had the hand and foot thing-mostly hands, I could barely move them. They peeled about 3 weeksi to it. My onc took me off for a week because the drug was effecting my intestines the same way it effected my hands. During the break, my hands felt so much better. When i...

I'm 2a rectal cancer and my onc really didn't give me a choice. He told me the percentage difference for those who do follow-up chemo and those who don't was negligible, and he didn't think I needed it. We will see if that was a good decision. Your husband is lucky to have such a caring and concerne...

Great news for all of the clean scopes!!!!! My surgeon wants me to have a colonoscopy 1 year after the original one which is only 7 months after the resection. I'm not sure how often I will get them in the future. I think I would feel better (mentally) If I get them every year. I see my surgeon in 2...

All good advice from the people who responded to you. For me, the first month after diagnosis was the hardest for me and my family (husband and 2 boys , 18 and 16). Once the treatment plan was established and begun, things were much easier. Like others said, you need to live your life and help when ...

Hi worried wife, My chemo experience was only 5Fu. I had the pump attached 24/7 for about 6 weeks (I took a week break halfway through due to intestinal complications) while doing radiation every week day. My onc said I didn't need any further chemo. Keep asking questions and getting as much info as...

Just a comment about the port . . . I wasn't given a choice about which side (left). Mine was a "surgery" for both putting in and taking out. Total hospital time about 5 hours. 45 minutes to install, 25 minutes to take out. Minimal pain, some discomfort. Wasn't allowed to lift anything for...

Jean, I had the pump for 5 1/2 weeks, everyday. Once a week I got a new med pack and they flushed out my port. I got used to it pretty quickly. The hardest part was taking a bath vs my usual shower. Good luck to your mom. I haven't had a scan since my original diagnosis. All surgeries done and no mo...

Walmart has a generic one that is the same. Maybe that is gone too. It may actually be made by the benefiber people. Good luck.

My surgeon never told me that a reversal was optional. It was just the next step. I had mine 7 weeks ago and feel pretty good. I just got back from an Alaskan cruise with no major problems. My surgeon said it will be 4 to 6 months until I am normal. So far so good. I usually have one session (3-4 BM...